First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE and Steven Shattuck of Capital Campaign Pro, a unique platform designed to revolutionize traditional fundraising campaign consulting. Capital Campaign Pro assists nonprofit leaders in running their capital campaigns by offering a robust support system that includes an online toolkit, expert advisory, and peer group coaching. Their innovative approach is centered around training leaders to conduct their own donor interviews, thus maintaining transparency and strengthening donor relationships, a stark contrast to conventional consultant-led interviews where a third-party intermediary might inhibit open communication. During the discussion, concerns about donor candidness in the presence of nonprofit representatives were addressed. Contrary to the worry that donors might withhold true opinions, Amy and Steven argued that direct interactions actually enhance dialogue authenticity and effectiveness. They asserted that familiar faces can elicit more genuine and detailed feedback, which is vital for the success of any campaign. This method not only builds trust but also fortifies long-term donor relationships; pivotal for ongoing support. The podcast also looked into recent empirical research conducted by Capital Campaign Pro, which underscores the effectiveness of their methods. The study indicated a high success rate of 96% for campaigns utilizing their model, with the majority of these campaigns not negatively impacting the organizations’ annual funds. Interestingly, the data revealed that campaigns are equally successful regardless of the organization's size, encouraging smaller nonprofits that they too can achieve significant fundraising goals. This insight is particularly impactful, demonstrating that strategic, direct engagement and tailored support can empower all nonprofits to successfully navigate the complex landscape of capital campaigns.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Danielle Vance-McMullen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at DePaul University and Dan Heist, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Brigham Young University shared key findings from their extensive research on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). Conducted in collaboration with the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative, their study included data from over 50,000 accounts and partnerships with 110 DAF sponsors. They uncovered that DAFs are predominantly utilized as mid-range philanthropic tools, with baby boomer generations being the primary contributors. Despite concerns about potential misuse for tax benefits, their analysis showed that only about one in nine accounts receive contributions annually, indicating broader philanthropic intentions. Furthermore, the research highlighted the frequency of grant distributions from DAFs, with over 60% of accounts making grants annually and about 80% within a three-year period. These grants support various charitable causes, with a significant portion being unrestricted, allowing for flexibility in addressing community needs. Additionally, the study revealed that most DAFs have succession plans in place, ensuring continued charitable impact even after the original donor's passing. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the behavior of DAF donors and emphasizes the importance of understanding the evolving landscape of philanthropy. The findings underscored the diverse motivations driving charitable giving and the role of DAFs in facilitating impactful grant-making to support communities and causes.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Christy Boysen, MA, CFRM, FCEP, the founding CEO of Apex Legacy Consulting, who has extensive experience in advising nonprofits on planned gifts. Boysen emphasized that while planned giving, such as setting up charitable remainder trusts, appears complex due to its involvement of various professionals like lawyers and financial advisors, the process can be simplified through collaborative efforts. She highlighted the benefits of planned giving not only for the donors, who can make significant tax-efficient contributions, but also for their families and the charities they choose to support. Throughout the discussion, the need for education and engagement in planned giving was stressed as essential for overcoming the common reluctance among fundraisers. Boysen suggested that fundraisers should be proactive in learning about different planned giving vehicles and engage with donors through open-ended questions that align with their values and interests. This approach helps in uncovering opportunities for planned gifts, which are often overlooked due to the myths surrounding their complexity and the upfront effort required to understand and manage them. Lastly, the podcast addressed the strategic importance of incorporating planned giving into overall fundraising efforts. Boysen argued that by educating both staff and donors about the simpler forms of planned giving, such as including a nonprofit as a beneficiary in wills or insurance policies, organizations can expand their support base significantly. The episode concluded with a call to action for fundraisers to adopt a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to fundraising, recognizing the potential of every donor to contribute through planned gifts, thus ensuring the financial sustainability and growth of their organizations.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jamila Trimuel, Founder and CEO of Ladies of Virtue, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls in Chicago. They discuss the critical role of fundraising events within their overall strategy. Initially, their annual "Leading with Virtue Cocktail Reception" accounted for up to 50% of their budget, raising around $200,000 through corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, and auctions. While still important, the event now contributes 10-20% of their budget, signaling a strategic shift in fundraising tactics. Beyond the event itself, Ladies of Virtue emphasizes the significance of post-event donor engagement and stewardship. They maintain relationships through various means, including personal meetings, virtual events, and launching a monthly giving campaign. Their approach involves thanking and involving key stakeholders like the host committee and honorees, ensuring continued support and involvement beyond the event. This ongoing engagement has been instrumental in the organization's growth, with their budget expanding from $40,000 to $1.5 million. Jamila highlights the evolution of their fundraising strategy, emphasizing the importance of long-term relationship-building over one-off events. She advises fundraisers to focus on profiting from events while also considering the broader impact and opportunities for engagement throughout the year. This podcast episode underscores the power of effective donor stewardship in sustaining and growing nonprofit organizations like Ladies of Virtue, offering valuable insights for fundraisers seeking to maximize their impact.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Ron Schiller, Founding Partner and Senior Consultant at Aspen Leadership Group. In a detailed exploration of the dynamics within nonprofit organizations, particularly between the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Development Officer (CDO), the podcast looks at the evolving landscape of fundraising and leadership. The discussion underscores the critical nature of the CEO-CDO partnership in not just propelling the organization's fundraising efforts but also in enhancing the job satisfaction of both roles. The dialogue reveals that successful fundraising is increasingly seen as a collaborative endeavor that demands a deep understanding and appreciation of each other’s capabilities, highlighting the shift towards a more integrated approach in leadership roles within the nonprofit sector. The podcast also sheds light on the changing expectations placed upon CEOs regarding their involvement in fundraising activities. It notes a significant increase in the time CEOs devote to fundraising, reflecting a broader trend across various sectors of the nonprofit industry. This evolution signifies a growing recognition of the importance of fundraising proficiency in the selection and performance of CEOs. Furthermore, the conversation brings to attention the expanded role of CDOs that extends beyond mere fundraising to encompass a wide array of responsibilities such as board engagement, financial planning, and internal politics navigation. This expanded scope underscores the need for CDOs to possess a diverse skill set to effectively manage the complex facets of development and organizational growth. Finally, the podcast emphasizes the importance of adopting an approach to fundraising, advocating for a shift away from traditional transactional methods towards a model that views philanthropy as a partnership. This paradigm shift aims to mitigate common apprehensions toward fundraising by fostering a collaborative environment that aligns the interests of the organization with those of its donors. Through sharing insights and engaging in honest communication, CDOs are encouraged to serve as vital liaisons, facilitating a deeper understanding of the organizational landscape for their CEOs. This approach not only enhances the fundraising process but also enriches the overall organizational culture, paving the way for more successful and fulfilling partnerships.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Coco Xiaonan Kou, Managing Director of Research at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who discusses the Global Philanthropy Tracker, a comprehensive research project. The Global Philanthropy Tracker aims to understand cross-border philanthropic outflows from 47 countries, covering various stages of economic development. Unlike traditional measures like official development aid, the Global Philanthropy Tracker compares philanthropic giving to other major financial resource flows, highlighting the increasing role of private philanthropy in addressing global societal issues. Coco explains that the Global Philanthropy Tracker's significance lies in its ability to quantify the impact of philanthropy on global development, showcasing its growth over the past decades. Despite challenges such as limited data availability, the research team's collaboration with international partners and thorough data collection methods ensure a holistic picture of cross-border giving. The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding philanthropy's role alongside government aid, particularly in the face of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where philanthropy has shown resilience. Moreover, the podcast discusses the implications of the Global Philanthropy Tracker findings for fundraisers and policymakers. Fundraisers can leverage the report to demonstrate the importance of supporting local initiatives and effective communication with funders. Meanwhile, policymakers can use the Global Philanthropy Tracker to understand the collaborative nature of global philanthropy and design policies to improve the environment for cross-border giving. Coco also calls for contributions from listeners to enhance future iterations of the report, underscoring the ongoing need for data to further understand and support cross-border philanthropy.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Otis Fulton, Ph.D., Vice President of Psychological Strategies at Turnkey, who discusses the intricate dynamics of donor motivations. He highlights a significant finding: engagement in nonprofits can positively impact life expectancy, underscoring the personal benefits donors derive from their involvement. Fulton challenges the conventional wisdom that giving is primarily driven by the organization's mission, asserting that donors are motivated by their own experiences and the social validation they receive from participating in charitable activities. Through his insights, he reveals the complexity of human behavior, emphasizing the role of social comparisons and the desire to maintain status within social groups as key drivers of charitable giving. Moreover, Fulton addresses the pressing issue of income inequality and its implications for fundraising efforts. He notes a concerning trend where lower-income individuals, despite potentially having a higher propensity to give, may feel economically marginalized and less inclined to donate. This insight underscores the importance of inclusive fundraising strategies that reach donors across all income levels. Fulton advocates for approaches like peer-to-peer fundraising, which not only engage donors but also provide opportunities for them to connect with the organization's mission on a personal level, thus fostering long-term relationships. Lastly, Fulton emphasizes the need for fundraisers to shift their focus from immediate returns on investment (ROI) to the long-term value of donors. He argues that while ROI is relevant in the for-profit world, the nonprofit sector should prioritize cultivating lasting donor relationships. By adopting a holistic view of fundraising that emphasizes lifetime donor value, organizations can ensure sustained support and engagement from donors, thereby fulfilling their mission more effectively. Through his holistic perspective and practical advice, Fulton offers fundraisers valuable insights into navigating the complexities of donor motivations and building successful fundraising strategies.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jon Bergdoll, Associate Director of Data Partnerships from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who offers insights into the expected trends in charitable giving over the coming years. Jon discusses a study that looks at the intricate relationship between economic factors and philanthropic behaviors. While emphasizing the importance of fostering strong donor relationships, the discussion highlights the significant influence of economic indicators, such as wealth metrics and personal income levels, on shaping charitable contributions. The study forecasts a 4% growth in total charitable giving for both 2024 and 2025, adjusting for inflation, indicating stability in the philanthropic landscape despite recent economic fluctuations. Notably, foundations are expected to experience robust growth, driven by the expansion of their asset bases. Projections suggest a substantial increase in foundation grants by 10% in 2024 and 5% in 2025, underscoring their pivotal role in driving philanthropy forward. Conversely, individual giving is anticipated to grow at a slower pace of around 3% annually, reflecting broader economic trends such as wage growth and income disparities. Corporate giving is also expected to rise, albeit at a more modest rate compared to foundations and individuals. The episode emphasizes the importance of incorporating inflation into fundraising budgets to ensure nonprofits remain financially resilient amid an evolving economic landscape. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between economic factors and charitable giving behaviors, offering strategic guidance for organizations navigating the philanthropic landscape in the years ahead.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm, Ph.D., professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who discusses the pressing issue of declining charitable giving in the United States, especially among younger demographics. The episode covers an experiment researchers conducted using fundraising materials from a nonprofit organization to measure the effectiveness of different messaging strategies in attracting new donors and retaining existing ones. The experiment compared the impact of two main messaging strategies: a video showcasing the nonprofit's work and an email describing the hardships faced by its clients. Results revealed that the video message was significantly more effective in increasing donor connections, particularly among women, while the email's impact was negligible. Importantly, the study highlights the need for fundraisers to be mindful of unintentionally evoking negative feelings in their messaging, as this can undermine effectiveness. By understanding the emotional and moral responses of donors, fundraisers can design more impactful and engaging campaigns. Overall, the podcast underscores the importance of innovative approaches to donor engagement in the face of changing trends in charitable giving. By leveraging research-based insights and understanding donor behavior, fundraisers can adapt their strategies to effectively attract and retain donors, ultimately advancing the missions of nonprofit organizations in a challenging landscape.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Katrina VanHuss, Founder and Partner at Turnkey. Katrina highlights the critical shift away from transactional donor interactions towards fostering genuine connections among donors themselves, emphasizing the need to move beyond one-way communication models. The conversation underscores the common oversight in nonprofit strategies, where considerable resources are invested in communicating with donors but little attention is given to enabling donors to engage with each other. Katrina explains the profound impact of community-building efforts, which not only deepen donor engagement but also foster trust and loyalty towards the organization and its mission. Drawing on examples like Relay for Life, the episode illustrates how nurturing a sense of community among donors can lead to significant fundraising success and provide invaluable support to individuals facing personal challenges. The episode advocates for a strategic shift in fundraising practices, urging fundraisers to integrate community-building initiatives into their strategic plans. By understanding the operational dynamics of building donor communities and recognizing the tangible benefits it brings to both donors and the organization, fundraisers can enhance their effectiveness and achieve sustainable fundraising goals.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Jay Love, Co-Founder and current Chief Relationship Officer of Bloomerang. Jay emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing donor stewardship to improve retention rates. He suggests personalized approaches such as handwritten thank-you notes and phone calls, as well as involving board members in expressing gratitude to donors. Additionally, Jay stresses the significance of recognizing donors of all gift sizes, as major donors, although constituting a small percentage, provide the majority of funds. By implementing comprehensive stewardship strategies, organizations can build stronger relationships with donors and mitigate donor fatigue. The episode highlights the nonprofit sector's deplorable state with an average retention rate of only 43-44%, significantly lower than what is required for commercial businesses to thrive. This discrepancy is attributed to various factors, including high turnover rates among fundraising professionals and a lack of expertise in donor nurturing among board members. Despite the immense importance of retaining donors, many organizations find themselves on a constant treadmill of seeking new donors rather than fostering relationships with existing ones. The episode underscores the importance of treating donors as valued members of the nonprofit's family and acknowledges the need for consistent communication and recognition. Strategies such as segmenting donors and maintaining a communication plan are recommended to ensure that donors feel appreciated and engaged with the organization's mission. Ultimately, fostering a culture of gratitude and stewardship can lead to higher donor retention rates and sustained support for the nonprofit's initiatives.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Erinn Andrews, the founder and CEO of GiveTeam, a consulting firm specializing in philanthropic advising. Andrews identifies a crucial gap in the philanthropic advising profession, particularly in supporting donors in the top 2 to 10% bracket. While much attention is given to the top 1% of donors, those in the slightly lower bracket often lack tailored support despite their significant contributions. Recognizing this opportunity, Andrews established GiveTeam to cater to the needs of this segment and unlock their hidden generosity. Andrews explains GiveTeam's advising model, which focuses on guiding donors through a reflective process to develop a charitable mission statement aligned with their values. Additionally, the team assists in structuring financial strategies and presents nonprofit options based on donors' priorities. By addressing the challenges donors face in strategic giving, GiveTeam aims to empower them to make more informed and impactful philanthropic decisions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of ongoing engagement and stewardship post-donation. Andrews underscores the need for nonprofits to maintain regular communication with donors, providing updates on how their contributions are making a difference. This approach not only fosters stronger donor relationships but also encourages continued support and potentially increased giving over time. Through thoughtful reflection, personalized advising, and effective stewardship, GiveTeam seeks to maximize the philanthropic impact of donors in the top 2 to 10% bracket.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Gene Tempel, Ed.D. to discuss the foundational aspects that drive the success of nonprofit fundraising efforts. Central to the discussion is the concept of the "case for support," which underscores the necessity for nonprofits to articulate a clear and compelling rationale for their fundraising initiatives. This rationale is not just a narrative but a strategic alignment of the organization's mission with societal needs, serving as the cornerstone for both annual and capital campaigns. The emphasis is on the importance of this case for support, especially in capital campaigns, where the urgency and scope of fundraising are magnified to meet specific organizational expansions, such as new facilities or equipment, which directly address pressing societal needs. The conversation broadens the understanding of capital campaigns, challenging the notion that they are exclusive to large entities like universities or hospitals. It is argued that capital campaigns are a viable strategy for nonprofits of all sizes, including local theaters and homeless shelters, all of which may require significant resources to expand their services or infrastructure. This inclusivity highlights the versatility of capital campaigns as a tool for organizational growth across the nonprofit sector. The dialogue underscores the importance of strategic vision in these endeavors, positing that a forward-looking perspective, one that promises an improvement over the present state, is critical in mobilizing donor support and achieving the campaign's objectives. The podcast also addresses common pitfalls and misguided motivations that can derail fundraising campaigns, such as initiating a campaign based on envy or a perceived need to match the efforts of others without a solid case for support. Such motivations risk the credibility and effectiveness of the campaign, underscoring the need for a well-founded rationale rooted in the organization's mission and societal contributions. Moreover, the episode illuminates the broader impacts of successful campaigns, beyond financial achievements, highlighting how they can energize stakeholders, enhance the public image of the nonprofit, and lay a solid foundation for future growth and impact. This comprehensive discussion offers valuable insights into the strategic planning and execution of fundraising campaigns, emphasizing their critical role in enabling nonprofits to fulfill their missions and address societal needs effectively.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Gasby Brown. They explore the critical topic of succession planning in the realm of fundraising. The discussion centers on the challenges organizations face when key leaders, such as the chief executive officer or chief development officer, depart, leaving behind important donor relationships. The central theme is how to ensure a smooth transition and maintain fundraising efforts during leadership changes. Gasby Brown emphasizes that succession planning should be a proactive and strategic process, not a reactive replacement of leaders. It involves identifying and nurturing potential leaders from within the organization, ensuring a strong bench of capable individuals who can step up when needed. Brown also stresses the importance of ethical practices, emphasizing that donors support the mission of the organization, not individual leaders. She recommends sharing donor information with the team and introducing them to donors during the transition to foster a sense of team spirit. Inclusive leadership, where leaders involve their teams in decision-making and empower others, is highlighted as a key element in ensuring the organization's continuity and strength after a leader departs. The podcast underscores the ethical responsibility of leaders to develop successors and to focus on the greater mission of fundraising and philanthropy. Overall, it provides valuable insights into the importance of succession planning and maintaining donor relationships during leadership transitions in the nonprofit sector.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Hilda Vega, Deputy Vice President, Philanthropic Practice. The organization, celebrating its 40th anniversary, commissioned a significant study through the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The study, titled "Latinx Philanthropy: Understanding Generosity Trends Across Latinx Communities in the United States," aimed to refresh and deepen the understanding of Latino donors' roles in philanthropy. This comprehensive study was designed to answer frequent questions about the philanthropic behaviors and challenges of Latinx communities and to contribute to the broader understanding of philanthropy's diversity and evolution. The study brought to light several critical findings about Latinx philanthropy. It revealed that Latinx donors, like donors across the U.S., often give based on their values, family connections, and community needs. The research provided a unique blend of quantitative data and qualitative insights from focus groups, highlighting long-term trends in Latinx giving. Interestingly, it showed that Latinx giving mirrors broader U.S. trends, with a strong emphasis on family and community investment. However, the study also pointed out challenges, such as a decline in institutional trust and economic changes post-pandemic. Notably, the role of peer-to-peer giving, mutual aid, and remittances were underscored as significant aspects of Latinx philanthropy, with remittances playing a vital role in supporting entire communities in the donors' countries of origin. The episode also looked into the implications of these findings for fundraisers and the importance of inclusivity in philanthropic efforts. As the Latinx population continues to grow and diversify within the U.S., understanding these trends is crucial for fundraisers, particularly those from different ethnic backgrounds. The study highlights the necessity for fundraisers to build genuine relationships with donors, understand their interests, and include Latinx communities in their efforts. The research indicates that as Latinx individuals establish themselves longer in the U.S., their capacity to donate increases. This generational and residency duration factor is essential for understanding donor behavior. The episode concludes with a call for more inclusive fundraising practices that recognize the unique and evolving role of Latinx donors in philanthropy.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Nikole Collins-Puri, former CEO and current adviser to Techbridge Girls, to discuss the pivotal role of storytelling in the realm of fundraising. Nikole, recognized as a leader in the philanthropic sector, provides insight into Techbridge Girls, a nonprofit with a 25-year history, dedicated to empowering black and brown girls in STEM education. The episode emphasizes while facts and numbers have their place in conveying impact, storytelling is equally vital for advancing an organization's mission, amplifying its message, and securing the resources needed to bring about societal transformation. Nikole elaborates on Techbridge Girls' deliberate approach to collecting and organizing stories in a systematic "story bank" that includes categorization with keywords. This enables them to retrieve and share compelling stories tailored to different audiences, including donors, partners, and educators, to reinforce specific messages and goals. The organization's strategy involves training its entire staff to contribute to the story bank, ensuring that stories are gathered from various sources and channels. The podcast sheds light on the pragmatic use of Dropbox for this purpose, dispelling the notion that sophisticated, expensive tools are necessary for effective storytelling in nonprofits. Nikole highlights an equity issue in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing that stories hold cultural significance and offer a more inclusive perspective on impact, particularly in communities of color. She advocates for a broader recognition of storytelling alongside quantitative data as a valid and meaningful way to measure impact. Her advice to nonprofits seeking to establish their own story bank is refreshingly straightforward: don't overthink it; stories are everywhere, and it's crucial to capture them in whatever way possible to share the transformative work being done. This podcast episode not only underscores the importance of storytelling in fundraising but also provides practical insights on how nonprofits can implement a storytelling strategy to advance their missions and foster engagement with their supporters.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Muhi Khwaja, MPA, CFRE, CFRM, co-founder of the American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), discusses the organization's role and growth since its inception in 2017. With over $8.6 million in assets, AMCF operates numerous donor-advised funds and endowments, serving as a pivotal national platform for supporting the Muslim community in the United States. The Foundation's unique approach integrates Islamic charitable practices, like zakat, with modern philanthropy, thereby aligning donors' faith with their philanthropic endeavors. The episode emphasizes the crucial role of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in assessing and enhancing fundraising effectiveness. KPIs serve as vital tools for predicting future performance and evaluating past results. Specific metrics like year-over-year donor retention are highlighted, showcasing their importance in setting accurate and informed fundraising goals. The conversation underscores the necessity for organizations to strike a balance between tracking these metrics and maintaining strong, personal donor relationships, a challenge that is often faced in the nonprofit sector. Addressing nonprofits at various stages of development, the episode provides practical guidance on setting up systems to track KPIs. For organizations with adequate resources, investing in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems is recommended to efficiently manage donor data and fundraising activities. For those with limited budgets, simpler methods such as Excel spreadsheets are suggested. The key is to focus on essential metrics like cost per dollar raised and fundraising return on investment, ensuring a strategic and data-driven approach to donor management and fundraising activities.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., shares his thoughts on fundraising prospects for 2024. He begins by reflecting on the resilience of the United States' economy in 2023, despite earlier fears of a recession. This robust economic performance bodes well for fundraising efforts in the upcoming year, as it suggests that potential donors may have more disposable income to contribute. Stanczykiewicz also discusses factors like inflation and consumer spending, highlighting that inflation rates have been steadily decreasing, relieving some of the pressure on charitable giving. Furthermore, he points out the strength in consumer spending, as demonstrated by significant increases during events like Cyber Monday. These positive economic indicators collectively paint a promising picture for fundraising organizations aiming to secure donations in 2024. The podcast episode underscores the importance of donor relationships, emphasizing that fostering and maintaining strong connections with supporters is crucial for successful fundraising. To this end, the fundraising school is adding more curriculum on donor stewardship to reinforce this key principle. Additionally, Stanczykiewicz touches on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in fundraising, as it continues to evolve rapidly, helping automate various operational tasks and allowing fundraisers more time to engage with donors. Lastly, the episode highlights the historical trend that charitable giving tends to increase during presidential election years, dispelling concerns that political campaign donations might negatively impact charitable contributions. Listeners can benefit from Stanczykiewicz's deep insights into the economic landscape and its implications for fundraising in 2024, along with valuable advice on maintaining strong donor relationships and leveraging AI for more efficient fundraising efforts.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Mark Wilhelm, Ph.D., professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, to distill over two decades of research into the world of philanthropy and fundraising. The discussion centers on the multifaceted motives that drive individuals to contribute to charitable causes. Mark identifies two primary categories of motives: collective motives, where people engage in philanthropy to create a collective product for the greater good, and private benefit motives, which encompass personal feelings of duty, satisfaction, or self-improvement. This categorization underscores the importance of recognizing the unique motivations of donors. The conversation looks at the dynamic nature of charitable giving, challenging the notion of a static donor base. Mark emphasizes that donor behaviors can change over time, and fundraisers should focus on transitioning occasional donors into regular contributors. He likens fundraising to a dynamic motion picture, urging fundraisers to adapt to evolving donor motives and behaviors. To effectively engage donors, the podcast suggests a personalized approach. Rather than crafting generic messages that attempt to address all possible motivations, fundraisers are encouraged to tailor their appeals to align with individual donor motives. This nuanced understanding of donors can lead to more effective and resonant fundraising efforts. Fundraisers are reminded that their work requires discernment and leadership in navigating the complexity of donor motivations.

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Elizabeth Lynn, the Project Director for the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The discussion centers on the dynamic relationship between faith and philanthropy. The Lake Institute's primary focus is to explore how faith commitments and values inform charitable giving and how these patterns of giving shape both faith communities and broader societal actions. Elizabeth explains the Lake Institute conducts research, supports other organizations in their research efforts, and offers educational programs aimed at helping leaders engage their constituents in faithful giving and generosity. They recognize the evolving nature of faith and giving, with many religious institutions rethinking how they utilize their resources, including property and endowments. To address this, they have launched the "Story Shelf," an online resource library containing stories of faith communities reimagining their resources, forging new partnerships, and engaging in creative acts of generosity. These stories serve as inspirational tools for religious leaders to spark imagination and foster discussions on how they can align their resources with their values. The podcast also touches on various stories available on the Story Shelf, such as a Lutheran congregation in Washington, D.C., partnering with a Jewish congregation to share their space and an Episcopal Church in Cincinnati using part of its endowment to support local social entrepreneurs. These real-life examples showcase how faith communities are adapting to changing circumstances and aligning their resources with their values. The Lake Institute's Story Shelf is a valuable resource for religious congregations and organizations seeking inspiration and new approaches to philanthropy and generosity. To access these stories and learn more about the Lake Institute's work, you can visit their website at https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/institutes/lake-institute/index.html.